Smooth Reach-in Orifice acting as a Cover or Lid

ABSTRACT

Smooth reach-in orifice acting as a cover or lid. A set of structural ribs are placed around the reach-in orifice acting as a dispensing flip-lid. Structural ribs are placed to the left and right of the orifice and blended with the base sealing rib. The outer wall is an offset wall from the inner reach-in sealing rib, inter structural ribs are connecting both outer and inner profiles. The apparent latch hole design is the existence of a hole on the cover located closed to the front tab, leading to the cover&#39;s latching mechanism, a fastening feature allowing the cover to snap itself onto the base. The living hinge is thicker at the outside edge of the hinge. The front lifting tab is a thin ledge, with a width between ⅔ of the full width of the part front face, extending 1.5 to 3 mm off the overall body of the cover.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to dispensing tub covers and lids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a smooth reach-in orifice acting as a cover or lid for dispensing tubs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The molding process for manufacturing various dispensing tubs and their corresponding, complex lids and covers with multiple parts is a know problem with production efficiency and cost. Manufacturers are constantly working to design more and more efficient lid and cover designs that meet the requirements for dispensing material in an easy, intuitive manner for users, while also retaining the material in an environment necessary for the material to remain viable for extended periods of time.

Often, latching mechanisms for such covers and lids are mad from multiple complex moving pieces that result in an expensive, laborious and time consuming molding process that requires many moving parts in the mold and the use of specific lubricants in the mold that increase manufacturing complexity and costs.

Therefore, what is needed is a design that is able to achieve a latching mechanism without requiring moving parts in the mold and eliminating the use of a lubricant in the mold in that specific area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a smooth reach-in orifice acting as a cover or lid that is comprised of: one or more structural ribs strengthening the reach-in area; an apparent latch hole; a thickened living hinge lead; and a wide lifting tab.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a set of structural ribs that are placed around the reach-in orifice acting as a dispensing flip-lid. The structural ribs are placed to the left and right of the orifice and blended with the base sealing rib. The outer wall is an offset wall from the inner reach-in sealing rib, inter structural ribs are connecting both outer and inner profiles.

The apparent latch hole design is the existence of a hole on the cover located closed to the front tab, leading to the cover's latching mechanism, a fastening feature allowing the cover to snap itself onto the base. The hole is a result of the mold design decision. The present invention is able to achieve a latching mechanism without requiring moving parts in the mold, eliminating the use of lubricant in the mold in that specific area.

The living hinge is thicker at the outside edge of the hinge (from the reference middle plane), this allow to increase the strength of the living hinge against tearing force while keeping residual folding stress low.

The front lifting tab is a thin ledge, with a width between ⅔ of the full width of the part front face. It extends 1.5 to 3 mm off from the overall body of the flip lid cover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the open flip-lid with its reach-in area.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the reach-in area with the structural ribs on both left and right of the inner reach-in.

FIG. 3 is a closed view of the interconnecting ribs connecting both inner and outer ribs profile.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the smooth reach-in orifice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the closed flip-lid with the apparent latch hole in an open view.

FIG. 6 is a closed view of the hinge area with the external facing edge of the hinges being thickened compared to the hinge general thickness.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wide lifting tab.

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the wide lifting tab.

The area contoured by solid lines defines the areas of the claimed present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.

The present invention is a smooth reach-in orifice acting as a cover or lid that is comprised of: one or more structural ribs strengthening the reach-in area; an apparent latch hole; a thickened living hinge lead; and a wide lifting tab. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the open flip-lid with its reach-in area. FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the smooth reach-in orifice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the reach-in area with the structural ribs on both left and right of the inner reach-in. FIG. 3 is a closed view of the interconnecting ribs connecting both inner and outer ribs profile. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention is a set of structural ribs that are placed around the reach-in orifice acting as a dispensing flip-lid. The structural ribs are placed to the left and right of the orifice and blended with the base sealing rib. The outer wall is an offset wall from the inner reach-in sealing rib, inter structural ribs are connecting both outer and inner profiles.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the closed flip-lid with the apparent latch hole in an open view. The apparent latch hole design is the existence of a hole on the cover located closed to the front tab, leading to the cover's latching mechanism, a fastening feature allowing the cover to snap itself onto the base. The hole is a result of the mold design decision. The present invention is able to achieve a latching mechanism without requiring moving parts in the mold, eliminating the use of lubricant in the mold in that specific area.

This is also made possible with the use of a full sealing rib contact around the reach-in area, this guarantee a continuous moisture barrier while allowing a hole in the cover for mold design purpose.

FIG. 6 is a closed view of the hinge area with the external facing edge of the hinges being thickened compared to the hinge general thickness. The living hinge is thicker at the outside edge of the hinge (from the reference middle plane), this allow to increase the strength of the living hinge against tearing force while keeping residual folding stress low.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wide lifting tab and FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the wide lifting tab. The front lifting tab is a thin ledge, with a width between ⅔ of the full width of the part front face. It extends 1.5 to 3 mm off from the overall body of the flip lid cover.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention is determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

1. A smooth reach-in orifice acting as a cover or lid, the device comprising: a lid; a body; the body further comprised of: a reach-in orifice opening; one or more structural ribs strengthening the reach-in area; an apparent latch hole; a thickened living hinge lead; and a wide lifting tab
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein a set of structural ribs are placed around the reach-in orifice acting as a dispensing flip-lid.
 3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a base sealing rib.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the structural ribs are placed to the left and right of the orifice; and the structural ribs are blended with the base sealing rib.
 5. The device of claim 1, the body further comprising an outer wall; an inner reach-in sealing rib; and the reach-in orifice having both outer and inner profiles.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the outer wall is an offset wall from the inner reach-in sealing rib; and inter structural ribs are connecting both outer and inner profiles.
 7. The device of claim 1, the body further comprising the apparent latch hole is the existence of a hole on the cover located closed to the front tab; and a fastening feature leading to the cover's latching mechanism allowing the cover to snap itself onto the base/body.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the latch hole is a result of the mold design decision.
 9. The device of claim 8, further comprising a full sealing rib contact around the reach-in area.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the full sealing rib contact around the reach-in area creates a continuous moisture barrier allowing a hole in the cover for mold design purpose.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the living hinge is thicker at the outside edge of the hinge from the reference middle plane.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the front lifting tab is a thin ledge, with a width between ⅔ of the full width of the part front face, and extends 1.5 to 3 mm off from the overall body of the flip lid cover. 